The Kroger Co. and Harris Teeter Supermarkets Inc. announced a definitive merger agreement July 9 under which Kroger will purchase all outstanding shares of Harris Teeter for $49.38 per share in cash.

Included in the deal are Harris Teeter's 212 stores in the southeastern and mid-Atlantic markets and in Washington, DC. The stores are located primarily in high-growth markets, vacation destinations and university communities in North Carolina, Virginia, South Carolina, Maryland, Tennessee, Delaware, Florida, Georgia and the District of Columbia.

Oceanside Pole vine-ripe tomatoes are back, and in a big way.

With increased volume thanks to added acreage and enhanced seed selection, West Coast Tomato Growers, owners of the famed "Oceanside Pole" tomato brand, are poised for an excellent season.

Vineland Growers Co-Operative Ltd. celebrated their 100th anniversary on the grounds of H.A. Staff Farms on Saturday, June 15. The approximately 1,000 guests were greeted by a wine and hors d'oeuvres reception showcasing ‘Niagara’s Finest Wine’ and the formal opening ceremonies included addresses by Vineland Growers Co-operative Chair Phil Tregunno and political heavyweights. The mood for the event was set by the lively entertainment throughout the evening, a gourmet barbeque and the night was capped off with impressive fireworks by Garden City.

Mark Hanks, vice president of sales, marketing and operations for DNE World Fruit LLC, headquartered in Fort Pierce, FL, recently announced that Dan Schatz has accepted the position of general manager of the company.

“Dan graduated from Cornell University with a degree in economics and received his master’s in finance from Columbia University,” said Hanks. “He brings to DNE extensive sales and marketing experience from Kraft, Pepsi US, and AC Nielsen.”

Kings Food Markets announced that its third annual charity golf classic, which benefits its "Act Against Hunger" initiative, will be held Aug. 15.

The tournament brings together Kings and its industry partners to raise support for programs that provide hunger relief services in communities throughout New Jersey, New York and Connecticut.

HLB Specialties, a Pompano Beach, FL-based supplier of tropical produce items, is now shipping rambutans from Guatemala.

The company is offering the product in a masterbox of 12 3.8-ounce clamshells with four pieces of fruit to a clamshell. Also available are one-pound clamshells and a five-pound bulk box.